What Does Muncie, IN, Have to Offer for Kids?

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Muncie is a sprawling city in east-central Indiana, once considered to be an integral part of the "Rust Belt" of manufacturing powerhouses in the United States. A strong modern emphasis is placed on its role as a university town. Families with young children help to create a community that embraces family friendly activities, with parks, museums and sports facilities that are open to the public.

Museums

The Muncie Children's Museum (munciemuseum.com) creates a hands-on learning environment for young ones. It features a Dino Dig exhibit where children can dig up dinosaur bones with fossil replications and a boat that can be boarded for a fishing expedition. Three resident snakes allow children to learn about reptiles in a protected environment, as well as view fish, amphibians, a chinchilla and tarantula. A miniature version of the city of Muncie teaches young ones how to navigate their environment within a doctor's office, grocery store, restaurant and train station. In the veterinarian corner, kids can milk a cow and learn about various farm animals. The National Model Aviation Museum (modelaircraft.org) is also located in Muncie, for children with an interest in aviation. It is home to the largest collection of model aircraft in the United States.

Parks and Trails

McCulloch Park is is the largest of three public parks within the city limits of Muncie. It features a playground, picnic facilities, fishing, boating and a Soap Box Derby track. Mansfield Park also has fishing and a playground, as well as shuffleboard and horseshoe pits. Several smaller parks in the vicinity provide learning opportunities, with tributes and monuments to policemen and firemen. The Muncie Cantilevered Walkway has a trail that overlooks the White River and meanders through the heart of town, encouraging families to walk and cycle together. Also on the White River, about five miles southeast of town, the Prairie Creek Reservoir provides a chance for families to experience water activities and overnight camping nearby. Additional public lakes, pools and ponds offer swimming and fishing opportunities.

Sports and Recreation

The Muncie Sportsplex (unciesportsplex.net) creates an environment where young people can develop sports skills, with five softball diamonds and 11 soccer fields. Leagues and tournaments are available for both adults and children. McDoogles Family Fun Park (no website; 2921 E. Jackson, Muncie; 765-744-2893) has batting cages, miniature golf, water bumper boats and go-karts. Spectator sports that thrill the young ones include the Munice Dragway (municedragway.com), with more than 40 weekend drag races and dozens of evening programs, as well as national competitions with camping and bonfires.

Cultural Facilities

The Minnetrista Cultural Center (minnetrista.net) is a large facility devoted to fostering arts and culture in Muncie, with programs for kids that embrace nature, science, history and art. The Minnetrista Theatre uses props, costumes, sets and live actors to bring history alive, with shows such as a Captain Hook voyage through regional natural environments of the White River, Wyandot Cave, Hoosier National Forest and the Indiana Sand Dunes. An interactive robot exhibit sponsors a family fun day with activities and demonstrations. Seasonal farmers' markets encourage children to learn about the foods and growing practices of the community.

Resources

About the Author

Wendy K. Leigh is a travel writer and photojournalist from Seattle. She is the Editor of Islands America, a travel website for visiting islands within the United States. She also writes about home design, food and historical architecture. Leigh holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Washington.